Defender 300tdi vs 200tdi

[jayso81]

G'Day All,

This is my very first post and I am looking for some advice from all the very wise Land Rover owners on the site.

I'm trying to decide between a 1994 200tdi Defender 110 and a 1995 300tdi Defender 110. Both have around 250k km.

From my research I've found that the engines are very similar in performance, on paper, but the 300 is an updated version of the 200 creating a more refined and quieter engine.

My question is, what are the main differences between the two engines (200tdi vs 300tdi)?

Thank you!

[pistolpete]

i'm sure this is open for much debate..

but i find the 300 tdi alot better engine with far less problems...

The 300Tdi are noticeably smoother and quieter than the 200Tdi, but are generally found to not be quite as economical in real-world use

[slug_burner]

It is not just the 300 Tdi vs 200 Tdi that you are looking at here.

The 300 Tdi is coupled to a R380 gearbox whereas the 200 Tdi will be coupled to an LT77 gearbox. The R380 is a better box.

Not sure at what stage they changed from 10 spline to 24 spline axles but by 300 Tdi 95 fender came with 24 spline axles which are better than the 10 spline. Some one else will have to confirm if the spline change was also coupled to the 200/300 Tdi update.

The fans of the 200 Tdi will tell you that the 300 Tdi is problematic in as far as the timing belt is concerned. Yes the 300 Tdi did have some problems with the early timing belt arrangements but if the 300 Tdi has done 250k km then they will have been well an truely sorted by now. A yellow mark on the timing case will indicate if the timing case and injection pump have been sorted to prevent the timing belts from failing prematurely.

300 Tdi runs a few more pounds of boost (maybe only a 2-3 lb/in2) so I would think that they should run better than the 200 Tdi, all other things being equal.

I don't think there is much more difference. I have a 300 Tdi so I would recommend that you go the same if only for the gearbox and a year newer model.

[cewilson]

Over 500k on my 200tDi and still going along alright :)

LT77 is still going well too :)



Look honestly buy the one that's in better condition - they are both good engines.





Edit - they are a 24 spline axle too :)

[LowRanger]

i'm sure this is open for much debate..

but i find the 300 tdi alot better engine with far less problems...

The 300Tdi are noticeably smoother and quieter than the 200Tdi, but are generally found to not be quite as economical in real-world use


I am intrigued how the 300Tdi is supposed to be a better motor with far less problems.I think the 200Tdi has less inherent problems.
And being not as smooth isn't a problem,it's in a Defender:)

Wayne

[VladTepes]

I can pretty much compare apples with apples as I;ve owned Defenders with both engines. My opinion -

.

The 300Tdi/R380 combo is definitely better on the highway, revving lower for a given speed.

The 200Tdi/LT77 combo is better off road. Partly to do with the engine revving characteristics / fact the turbo spins up quicker (maybe) but the gear ratios are lower and engine braking is better.

I wouldn't hesitate to own a 200 again I really enjoyed it, but I'm happy with my 300 too.

One thing that seems to be the case is that "bits" and accessories are easier to get for the 300Tdi than the 200Tdi - probably due to the fact there are a lot of 300's out there and nowhere near as many 200's.

Allmy opinion.

Drive em both and pick the engine that suits you better THEN go and find a good truck with that engine.

Cheers

[justinc]

I can pretty much compare apples with apples as I;ve owned Defenders with both engines. My opinion -

.

The 300Tdi/R380 combo is definitely better on the highway, revving lower for a given speed.

The 200Tdi/LT77 combo is better off road. Partly to do with the engine revving characteristics / fact the turbo spins up quicker (maybe) but the gear ratios are lower and engine braking is better.

I wouldn't hesitate to own a 200 again I really enjoyed it, but I'm happy with my 300 too.

One thing that seems to be the case is that "bits" and accessories are easier to get for the 300Tdi than the 200Tdi - probably due to the fact there are a lot of 300's out there and nowhere near as many 200's.

Allmy opinion.

Drive em both and pick the engine that suits you better THEN go and find a good truck with that engine.

Cheers

Agree with the above, but I'l add that 200tdi's are much more labour intensive to work on, therefore more costly if you aren't doing it yourself.

The 200 Tdi IMO are a better, stronger and very much underrated engine, but I'd prefer to own a 300Tdi.

If that makes sense.


:confused:


JC

[Johnno1969]

Agree with the above, but I'l add that 200tdi's are much more labour intensive to work on, therefore more costly if you aren't doing it yourself.

The 200 Tdi IMO are a better, stronger and very much underrated engine, but I'd prefer to own a 300Tdi.

If that makes sense.


:confused:


JC

Um, not really.

[slug_burner]

Agree with the above, but I'l add that 200tdi's are much more labour intensive to work on, therefore more costly if you aren't doing it yourself.

The 200 Tdi IMO are a better, stronger and very much underrated engine, but I'd prefer to own a 300Tdi.

If that makes sense. No it doesn't, specially as you are a mechanic and can work on the car yourself

:confused: confused?

Sure am!
JC...

[Johnno1969]

I can pretty much compare apples with apples as I;ve owned Defenders with both engines. My opinion -

.

The 300Tdi/R380 combo is definitely better on the highway, revving lower for a given speed.

The 200Tdi/LT77 combo is better off road. Partly to do with the engine revving characteristics / fact the turbo spins up quicker (maybe) but the gear ratios are lower and engine braking is better.

I wouldn't hesitate to own a 200 again I really enjoyed it, but I'm happy with my 300 too.

One thing that seems to be the case is that "bits" and accessories are easier to get for the 300Tdi than the 200Tdi - probably due to the fact there are a lot of 300's out there and nowhere near as many 200's.

Allmy opinion.

Drive em both and pick the engine that suits you better THEN go and find a good truck with that engine.

Cheers

Sagacious advice. I own a 200 and love it to bits, and a lot of my work cars have been 300s and I've enjoyed them too. I have never had any trouble at all getting bits for either motor and never noticed any real difference in that department. Then again, all my time with TDis has been in Africa and the market is a little different there.

I'd much prefer to work on a 200.

I know the R380 is a more modern box, but (assuming that the gearbox is a good one) in the bush I prefer an LT77. Now I think about it, I absolutely loved the 200Tdi/LT77 combination in my last work car, "Arnold".....

[justinc]

Sagacious advice. I own a 200 and love it to bits, and a lot of my work cars have been 300s and I've enjoyed them too. I have never had any trouble at all getting bits for either motor and never noticed any real difference in that department. Then again, all my time with TDis has been in Africa and the market is a little different there.

I'd much prefer to work on a 200.

I know the R380 is a more modern box, but (assuming that the gearbox is a good one) in the bush I prefer an LT77. Now I think about it, I absolutely loved the 200Tdi/LT77 combination in my last work car, "Arnold".....

About the only comment about that I can make is that they require LESS work than a 300Tdi usually. (Hardly ever have Vac pump failures, lift pump leaks, and broken timing belts:))I am particularly reminded of the fact that I can fit 2 timing belts to a 300Tdi in the time it takes to do 1 200Tdi. And that is only if the cooling system on the 200 is in good nick and hasn;t corroded the through bolts and stud solid in the timing cover/ case. AND that the little coolant gasket behind the timing case isn't leaking, requirng the complete front of the engine off to replace a 30c paper gasket.

I really love these engines, BUT I'd prefer to own a 300Tdi because I don't want to spend so much time performing simple maintenance tasks such as timing belt replacements.

Each has its own good and bad points.

JC

[justinc]

...

Thats just my point, the 300Tdi is easier to perform maintenance on, although it usually has more 'issues' than a 200tdi, at least they are easier to rectify, IE on my own vehicle.....:)

JC

[jayso81]

Thank you to everyone who has voiced their opinion on this topic. I didn't realise it would create such a debate.

All of your personal experiences have helped me a great deal in making an educated decision.

What I gather so far, is that generally a 200tdi costs more to repair if it's being serviced by a mechanic (more time involved) but it may not have as many "issues" as a 300tdi. The 200tdi, as it was produced in far fewer numbers, has potentially less parts and accessories available than a 300tdi.

Also, the LT77 is better as a bush transmission/towing transmission, whereas the R380 is a better all-round transmission.

Finally, it comes down to what I like and what I'm using it for.

I plan on using the Defender as both a work vehicle, for towing upwards of three tonnes, but we'll be using it on weekends and holidays as a fun/touring vehicle. Eventually, within a years time, we'll be retiring it from business use and using it as our primary means of transport.

Thank you again! :D

[philco]

I have a 130 300 Tdi, been to NT and back, sydney and the islands around Moreton bay, as a carpenter, I use my truck for work every day, carring timber and all my tools etc, do the oil change etc myself, never had an issue with it unless i created it, as us home mechanics sometimes do, My truck always starts, and has never let me down, I put a 2.5 inch mandrel bent exhaust on and a K&N filter(ebay), best thing ever did, lots more power and all under $1000. want to do more touring and the 300 is a great motor to do it. I don't have a camper to tow so everything goes in the back.
Just my 2 cents

[cewilson]

Forgot to mention - re: parts.


The 200tDi still has plenty of parts available for it - just for some things you need to get them from England instead of here. Talking more the MAJOR items like heads etc.

Do a search on Ebay under 'Defender' and you'll see that the parts that are available for both the 200 and 300 tdi engines. And that's not considering the speciality suppliers like RoverParts etc.


Cheers
Chris